IMC Networks Announces New Gigabit Ethernet Media Converter; Standalone Copper-to-Fiber Converter Minimizes Cost of Building and Maintaining Gigabit Ethernet Networks.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 2001

IMC Networks, a leading manufacturer of media conversion, fiber optic connectivity and bandwidth management solutions for Local, Wide and Metropolitan area networks, today announced the new McBasic(TM) Gigabit Ethernet ("GbE") copper-to-fiber media converter.

McBasic GbE is a rugged, standalone converter with an internal power supply, making it suitable for a wide range of installations, from the Telco Central Office to connecting Local Area Networks with remote offices over Metropolitan fiber infrastructures. McBasic GbE includes the advanced FiberAlert(TM) feature to alert campus and service provider network managers of problems, easing the process of isolating and troubleshooting fiber breaks should they occur.

"Gigabit Ethernet has established itself in the enterprise backbone, and is making headway into the MAN and WAN over campus and service provider networks," said Michael Dailey, president and chief executive officer of IMC Networks. "With the release of the industry-first modular Gigabit Ethernet converter last year, and now with the standalone McBasic model, IMC Networks has taken the leadership role in enabling enterprise and service provider networks to deliver the speed of Gigabit Ethernet over both copper and fiber optic cabling infrastructures."

"McBasic GbE provides substantial cost-savings over 1000Base-LX switch ports, and allows extending the reach of Gigabit Ethernet up to 70 kilometers while using standard 1000Base-T switch ports at both ends of the fiber run," added Dailey. "On the LAN side, network managers can extend the productive life of the existing Category 5 cabling plant and use McBasic GbE to connect the latest optical switches to their network."

Features and Functionality

McBasic GbE copper-to-fiber converter is a rugged, standalone unit with an internal, universal AC power supply. The small size and durability of the McBasic line facilitates many installation requirements. McBasic GbE includes FiberAlert, an advanced troubleshooting feature designed to minimize the problems associated with the loss of one strand of fiber by mirroring the link status from one end of the fiber to the other. Even if the fiber devices are separated geographically, the link status can be seen at either end, thus helping identify and isolate faults anywhere in the fiber loop.

McBasic GbE uses autonegotiation to configure each port for full/half duplex and master/slave modes of operation. The AutoCross feature on 1000Base-T ports automatically determines whether or not McBasic GbE needs to cross over between the four pairs on the RJ-45 connector, simplifying installation by eliminating the need for both cross-over and straight through cable.

Price and Availability

Available immediately, McBasic GbE copper-to-fiber converters carry the following list prices:

-- McBasic 1000Base-T to 850nm multi-mode fiber -- SC $ 950

-- McBasic 1000Base-T to 1310nm single-mode fiber -- SC $ 1,695

-- McBasic 1000Base-T to 1550nm single-mode fiber -- SC $ 5,600

McBasic media converters and other IMC Networks' connectivity solutions are distributed domestically through Graybar, Ingram Micro and Tech Data, and through a network of distributors in more than 50 countries around the world.

About IMC Networks

IMC Networks is a leading ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of hardware for Local, Wide and Metropolitan area network installations. IMC Networks provides copper-to-fiber and fiber mode conversion products as well as fiber optic repeaters to help network installers maximize the capacity of copper and fiber optic cabling infrastructures.

In addition to the industry's widest variety of media connectivity products, IMC Networks offers broadband access multiplexing, bandwidth management and packet filtering products for ISPs and network managers. IMC Networks supports Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, ATM and T1/E1 networking technologies. For more information on IMC Networks or its products, contact the company at: IMC Networks, 19772 Pauling, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610-2611; 949/465-3000; 949/465-3020 Fax; or at www.imcnetworks.com.